A WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and the Las Vegas Aces was temporarily halted Thursday during the third quarter following an incident where a player, Jackie Young, pointed out disruptive fans to a referee. Security escorted a woman from her courtside seat, and she later returned. Following her return, two men seated nearby were also escorted from the arena.
The incident occurred after Aces guard Jackie Young inbounded the ball. She spoke to a referee while gesturing toward the fans. Young, who finished the game with 22 points, nine assists, and four rebounds, declined to provide specifics about the fan interaction after the Aces' 86-84 overtime victory. "He was just chirping all game and I let him have it," Young said. "Then he just made one that was a little bit too far."
The Indiana Fever organization stated that arena security investigated the situation and found no violation of the fan code of conduct. According to a statement provided to USA Today, the team said security determined "there was no violation of the Fan Code of Conduct, the fan was not removed from the arena, but elected to leave. We consider the matter closed."
During the broadcast, WNBA legend Candace Parker and play-by-play announcer Michael Grady addressed the situation. "And what I love about today’s game, you can’t sit on the sideline and say anything," Parker stated. "No room in this game to sit to court side in this game and thing you’re protected because you paid for your seat. Get out of here." Grady added, "Consequences, no room for that at all."
Aces point guard Chelsea Gray also commented on the incident, noting that altercations with fans on the sideline are not uncommon. "I don’t know the specifics, but stuff gets said on the sideline quite often," Gray said. "It wasn’t directed at me. It was directed at Jackie and she told somebody, and clearly they found reason to kick him out."
The incident occurs amidst ongoing discussions regarding transgender athletes' participation in sports, following remarks made by Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham. Cunningham had previously expressed support for barring transgender athletes from girls' and women's sports, comments she later reiterated. Rallies in support of Cunningham have reportedly taken place at Fever games.